Bemidji man helps fuel lacrosse revival with traditional sticks

BEMIDJI, Minn. – Maxwell Kelsey sharpens the blade of his simple, two-handled draw knife, then pulls it in long and careful strokes over a freshly split piece of ash wood.

Kelsey, 34, never breaks his gaze, even as wood shavings fly into his beard and torn flannel shirt. For hours without rest, he splits, carves and steams the long ash sticks and then, proudly, lifts his finished product in the air: A wooden lacrosse stick, made using the same techniques as indigenous peoples of centuries ago.

http://m.startribune.com/bemidji-man-helps-boost-lacrosse-revival-with-traditional-sticks/461959673/?section=sports